How to Start a Bonsai Tree

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A young & healthy tree
A basic set of bonsai tools
A traditional ceramic bonsai pot
A good, somewhat course, soil mixture
Plastic mesh for covering drainage holes
Growth stimulant to reduce transplant shock, such as: Super Thrive- a plant hormone, Menedael- a concentrated complex iron solution, or Miracle Grow- a concentrated form of vitamin B-1

Step 1

A) an inexpensive turntable B) concave cutters C) pruning shears D) wire-cutting pliers E) chopsticks F) coils of ALUMINUM wire with a coppery finish G) wound sealant H) pruning scissors I) handsaw

First, start out by obtaining a very basic set of bonsai tools. Most of them can probably be purchased at your local plant nursery and/or hardware store. (You could very possibly hold off on the concave cutters - the most expensive tool shown here - if you decide to wait awhile before investing in more advanced tools.)
Step 2

Various ceramic & clay bonsai pots

Then, depending on the type, size, color, and shape of your tree; choose a traditional glazed or unglazed bonsai pot. Also keep in mind that the appropriate size, shape, depth, and color of the pot should harmonize with the tree it contains so, don't choose a pot specifically due to how it looks on its own.
Step 3

A small mountain pine ready to begin bonsai training.

First, acquire a good bonsai tree specimen. Though there are many ways of doing this, the easiest and most popular ways are: Choosing a young tree from a nursery or, digging one up either from a garden or from somewhere out in nature.** Start out with the very basic bonsai tool set. Then, depending on your tree's size, color, shape, etc., choose a traditional ceramic bonsai pot.
Step 4

It will be easier to view, clip, and wire your tree once it's out of its pot.

Begin by removing the tree from its original pot in order to get an idea of the root ball size. Plus, with the tree out of the pot, it becomes much easier to view, clip, and wire. (Be sure to always keep the root ball moist - especially once out of its pot.)
Step 5

Begin by cutting off the smaller/minor branches in order to showcase the tree's twisted trunk.

Use your pruning scissors and/or pruning shears to begin the process of removing crowded & unwanted branches and foliage. This will give you a better idea of your tree's natural curves, as well as how you'll want to possibly proceed in changing it's overall shape.
Step 6

Take your time to decide which branches to cut off, and which ones to leave on.

Using your concave cutters, remove any long and uninteresting branches. Remember... once a branch is cut, it's gone. So, be sure to do this slowly and carefully.
Step 7

Wire your tree in this fashion.

Next, begin wiring your tree. Anchor the wire by poking one end into the soil a couple of inches, directly next to the base of the tree's trunk. Then, proceed to coil the wire around the trunk and branches, or wherever you plan to bend or re-shape the tree. Always use the appropriate thickness of wire, proportionate to the thickness of the trunk and/or branches. It's also OK to double, or even triple wire any particularly thick, or hard-to-bend part of your tree.
Step 8

Try to follow the traditional bonsai rules when shaping your tree. *(Some of these basic rules are shown in the last step.)

After your tree is wired correctly, carefully bend the trunk and/or branches into shape. Also, trim away extra long shoots in order to refine your tree's overall shape and outline. Though a true bonsai endures many years of pruning, clipping, wiring, shaping, and re-potting; your tree should now be developing into the basic shape it will hold over the possible decades--or more--it could potentially live.
Step 9

Bonsai pot preperation is shown here.

Choose an appropriate traditional ceramic bonsai pot in which to transplant your nearly finished tree. Don't choose a pot due only to it's individual beauty. Instead, pick one that not only is attractive to you, but one that compliments the tree which will be planted within it. Cover the drainage holes with a couple of piece of plastic mesh & anchor them with small lengths of wire. Fill just the bottom of your pot with a good, course bonsai soil. (Japanese Akadama works well or you can use a mixture of approx. 70-75% potting soil & 25-30% pumice.) Trim your tree's roots back as much as one-third.* Then re-pot it by spreading the roots evenly and firmly packing your soil in and around them. Also, directly after re-potting, you must water the tree extremely well--especially if the soil is dry. Make sure that drainage is good, otherwise the soil is most likely either packed too firmly or it's too fine.
Step 10

Small mountain pine finished with its initial training.

Finally, your tree is finished. Now all you have left to do is keep it trimmed back, keep it healthy and keep it alive. With the proper care, it's quite possible for your bonsai tree to outlive you!
Step 11

Here are a few examples of traditional bonsai structure.

All in all, it takes many years of learning, training, and lots of trial and error to become an extremely gifted bonsai enthusiast/artist--and even longer for those who to aspire to become true bonsai masters. Bonsai actually originated in China some 1,500 to 2,000 years ago, later traveling to Japan, and eventually all over the world. True bonsai technique has evolved over the millennia with well defined rules and tradition--only very few of which are covered in this article. It was once said by a bonsai master, "It is only when one has learned all of the rules; one is allowed to break them." I have now been a practicing bonsai enthusiast for nearly 15 years and only very recently did I consider myself an "intermediate"--just barely past the level of beginner. And though I plan to put forth my absolute best efforts, the chances are very small that I will ever become known as a true bonsai master--especially an American (Non-Japanese) one. That's fine though... Bonsai is probably the most rewarding--definitely the most relaxing and stress relieving--interest/hobby I've ever known. In order to be as successful as possible, just do what I did--and still do: 1- Completely dedicate yourself to acquiring as much knowledge of bonsai as you possibly can; then continue to learn more. 2- Accept the fact that you can never know everything (about bonsai). 3- There will ALWAYS be someone who knows more than you... So, learn from them! 4- Read, read, read as much as you can on the art of bonsai. 5- Follow all of the traditional rules with bonsai. 6- Once you've become somewhat proficient at the art of bonsai, try to pass your knowledge on to others. 7- Last--and probably the most important... Keep your bonsai tree(s) alive and in good health. Good luck!

Comments

bmerritt said

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on 2/16/2009 I really enjoyed reading this. I have always wanted to get a bonsai tree, and now I know how to work on it. Reminds me of that scene from the Karate Kid ;-) Great article!